GREEN BAY - A dog park and a "great lawn" capable of hosting concerts and festivals have replaced the athletic field in the new plan for the Shipyard area.

Green Bay's Redevelopment Authority unanimously and enthusiastically endorsed the third concept plan for the 13-acre site on Tuesday, the first time it was presented to the public.

The plan, which city staff and an outside consultant refined based on more than 1,000 pieces of public input, now includes a dog park, playground, sloping great lawn, larger container park, urban beach, waterfront amenities, public art installations, sand beach and other amenities. It would complement private development nearby, led by Breakthrough's plan to construct a new headquarters beginning later this year.

"I love it," Alderwoman and RDA member Barbara Dorff said. "I was excited about it from the start. I'm even more excited about it now."

The revised Shipyard concept plan includes a great lawn, dog park, beer garden and other amenities to complement Breakthrough's headquarters building and development of a waterfront trail.(Photo: Courtesy of city of Green Bay)

The initial concept called for development of a sports facility on the site between the Fox River and South Broadway, just north of the Mason Street overpass. When the Green Bay Booyah moved to Ashwaubenon in 2018, the city replaced the stadium with a multipurpose athletic field.

"People said they really don't care about sports on that site," Vonck said. "Instead, people are looking for things we don't have in the city. We really feel this maximizes use of the space and gives people a lot more opportunities to enjoy the space."

City staff plan to showcase the plan and answer questions about it in Old Fort Square during the July 17 Farmers Market on Broadway.

The container park was relocated closer to Broadway in order to provide more space for it and a "beer garden" or public seating area where people could enjoy food, drink and the riverfront views. The urban beach was enhanced with umbrellas, a water feature, a kayak launch and a naturalized section of riverfront.

An aerial view of public improvements proposed for the Shipyard redevelopment area. The plan includes a container plaza, great lawn, urban beach, marina, kayak launch, playground and dog park. The red dots are proposed public art installations.(Photo: Courtesy city of Green Bay)

The city has already borrowed $2 million to pay for site work and preparations connected with the Shipyard plan. The total project costs have been set at $11 million, including the $2 million already borrowed and $1 million in neighborhood improvement funds.

Vonck said the public amenities do not require heavy construction and thus could be completed and open by next year.

Alderman Brian Johnson, whose district includes the Shipyard area, called the new layout "dramatically different," but one he likes for its public art, public input, potential to attract people and expanded container park.

"This will be a great amenity for the neighborhood," Johnson said.

City staff plan to showcase the plan and answer questions about it in Old Fort Square during the July 17 Farmers Market on Broadway.

Nearby residential neighborhoods will also benefit from a proposed "Curb Appeal" program designed to help property owners improve the appearance of their homes and multifamily buildings. The grant program would require a 25% match from the property owner and reimbursement after an application was submitted, approved and completed. The city would reimburse up to:

$1,000 for landscaping.

$2,500 for exterior renovations like new paint or a new porch.

$5,000 for site improvements like a new driveway or fencing.

David Buck, a principal planner for the city, said the grants fill a gap in the spectrum of support residential property owners need to improve their properties.

"We found there was a gap when it comes to minor repairs. This would be for the little things, an incentive program to encourage you to do what you probably wanted to get done anyway," Buck said. "The small things make a huge difference."